Golf-practice machine.



P. H. LYNCH.

GOLF PRACTICE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 001'. 2a, 1912.

Patented 0013. 7, 1913.

2 sums-sum 1 firm U U WITNESSES INVEN'IOR ATTORN EYS P. H. LYNUH.

GOLF PRAGTIOB MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 0012s, 1912.

Patented Oct. 7, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR WlTN ESSES ATTORN EV S PATRICK H. LYNCH, F N EW'YQRK N. Y.

GOLF-PRACTICE MACHENE.

a e-ta l bpecification of Letters iratent.

Patented @ct. it, rolls.

ap pilication filed @ctober 2:3, 193. 3. seriallio. 727,309.

flocllwhom it may concern Be it knovvnthat I, PATR CK LYNCH, a ei mn. f the Un t s a r s di e' a New York, in the county of New York and, igtate of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in'GolftPractics Machines, of which :the following is a. full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake anduse the same.

5 illhis invention relates to an amusement apparatus, and v'ith respect to its morespe cific features, to ,a machine designed to slml ulate or "take .theplace of the playing of the same of golf.

0ne of theobjects of the invention is the provision of a simple devicewherevvith. the; game of golf may be practiced .either indoors or 1 Outdoors.

Anothenobiect ofthe invention is the pro visi n of a practical device whereWit-h the che nqt rof stro e given the projectile in then'anie of-golf may be indicated.

Another object of @the invention is the pro-- vision of an apparatusnmherewith golf strokes may be practiced indoors Without liability ofi stniking" the surrounding exterior objects.

-'llh.e invention-accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement ofparts which will beexemn ified inv the construction hereinaif er set forth, andthe s ene f th pplication of which will be. indicated n the following claims- *lln the. accompanying drawings forming part of this, specification, disclosing the preferred embodiment of the invention, and wherein similar reference characters refer to similar Darts throughout the several. views, Fig'nre 1 is a plan View of the apparatus; Fig. 2 is a side elevationpartly in section; Fig. 3 isa detail verticalsection through the projectile and adjacent parts; Fig. 4c is a section on the line XTX of Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 is an end view' of the bottom portion of the projectile, partly in section.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates a horizontal frame comprising an, upper suhstao tial platform 2 and a lower platform 3 each,

i of these platforms being: surmounted or covered by pads or cushions 4:: and 5, respec- I of a; player.

tiv 1y. 'll he pads may be made of felt, stu ed canvas or other suitable material, the. pad 4; being designed to simulate the ground. and the mad 5 being designed to serve as a cushion to yieldingly withstand shock and avoid noise. The upper and lower platforms fl-and 3, in the present embodiment, are connected by an inclined Wall 6 -W-hl0has will hereinafter appear, serves asa guide to direct a projectile into a predetermined position. The platforms 2 and 3 and the guide ti are preferably cast as an inten'ral metallic structure having less 7 so that when setup it will maintain an erect position with the platforms 2 and 3 generally horizontally disposed, balls of rubber being placed on the legs to hold the device from sliding. When used in the open, the

apparatus is preferably sunk into the around so that the platform 2 is flush with the surtace of the ground.

The numeral indicates acnrved retainng :well formed integral with the frame and extending to the height of the platform 2. Zllhe snail 7 pnevents. the earth from encroa hi g-noon thelspaee between said wall and the Wall-6t hen the frame is sunk in the-around. When in aroom or. other confinedsnaoe 'theanlatform 2 will be above the floor, and in order that the player-may stand upon a level with the platform 2, as is most usual in melons a stroke in the gamev of self, a horiz ntal stand 8 is provided to whichlthe frame lumay he .removably and dwstablv connected by means, of straps 9 bolted to athetbo-ttom of the platform, between Wh ch and the platform .enter bars 9 connected to thestand 8 set screws 8 servmg to adjustably remoyahly secure the trame 1 andetand 8 in relative ,fixed position. i this was! it will be .noted that the frame 1 maybe disconnected from the stand 8-and tnrnedcompletely around so that its farthest side may be arranged adjacent the stand and these-elements connected in this position tier left hand players.

it captive-proiectile isprovided land is designed to assume a predetermined position aselatine to the platform 2 such that it may be struckW-sith a golf club in the hands In the preferred embodiment, the projectile comprises an objective portion, or ball it) in the nature of a sphere simulating in size and shape a golf ball of the usual construction. The ball portion of the projectile is yieldingly supported and guided by a flexible elastic shaft preferably comprising a coiled spring 11 attached at its upper end to'the inside of a collar 12, the ball being provided with an opening 13 into which the free end of the spring 11 extends; the fit of the collar and spring within the recess 13 being designed to be close in order to avoid undue play between the ball and shaft. The resilient shaft 11 is removably fixed preferably at one end to the frame 1 adjacent the guide 6 by means of a collar 14 fast to the lower end of the spring, said 001- lar having oppositely projecting lugs 15, the

collar resting upon a base piece 16 projecting upwardly from the platform 8 at an incline. In the preferred construction the base-piece 16 is provided with a transverse recess 17 in its upper surface into which the lugs 15 extend when the collar 14- rests upon the base. A socket-piece 17 having flanges 18, is placed over the spring 11 and rests upon'the base 16, the lower edge of the socket-piece being designed to engage the upper edges of the lugs 15, so that when the socket-piece is fixed in position the spring 11 will be held not only from longitudinal displacement at its lower end, but also from rotary movement. Bolts 19 serve to removably secure the socket-piece 17 to the wall 6 of the frame 1.

By the above construction it will be noted that the flexible shaft is fixed at its lower portion to the frame while its upper portion is free to move or swing in different direcflaring inner upper tions away from the wall 6 and the platform 2f The socket 17 preferably extends upwardly a substantial distance and has a ortion or surfaceas' at 20, so that the sha t11, when flexed, will take a gradual curve at th1s point, the uniform curvature of the spring tending thus to be preserved. Instead of a metallic spring shaft 11, an elastic rubber shaft of proper consistencymay be substituted. or the spring shaft maybe inclosed in an elastic rubber casing forming a continuation of the ball 10, as illustrated.

The fixture for the lower portion of the spring 11 is located centrally longitudinally of the frame 1, preferably closely adjacent the wall 6; and when the spring is fastened in place, as described, its upper or free portion preferably rests against said wall. In the preferred embodiment the wall 6 extends in opposite directions from the central portionof the platform and intersects said central portion at an an lo, the intersection of the oppositely exten ingportions being slightly rounded forming a depression in the wall 6 providing a seat 21 for the projectile- The angularity of the laterally extending portions of the wall is such thatthe wall projects somewhat forwardly on opposite sides of the seat, so that should the spring 11, after being flexed, contact with said wall, said spring will be guided into its seat. By this construction the wall 6 provides a guide for the spring on opposite sides of the seat.

By the construction thus far described, when the projectile is struck by a club in the hands of a player and moved away from its seat, the spring 11 will be flexed, turning substantially at the surface 20; and no matter in which direction the projectile may be moved, the spring will tend to restore it to its predetermined position in its seat, the walls 6 serving to guide it to its seat in case it should rebound in such a manner as not to be directly seated. The projectile thus comprises an upstanding vibratory or swinging shaft, a portion of Whichds held in a stationary position and a portion of which is free and constantly tends to assume a predetermined position with its upper end extending above the platform; and by the association of the projectile with the platfdrm 2 any of the strokes of golf may be made, the projectile automatically assuming a predetermined position for another stroke after each stroke.

- In connection with the projectile means are provided to, in a measure, identify or determine the character of stroke applied to the projectile, to simulate the flight and the lie of the ball. To this end, a series of indicators is provided, the indicators representing the flight and lie etc. of the ball, comprising targets 22 disposed in front of the projectile and preferably arranged in an arc of a circle, as illustrated. As all of the target indicators are similar in construction a description of one will sufice for all.

Each indicator comprises a target 22 consisting of a lever arm 24 pivoted on a bracket 25, the fear end of said lever aim being provided with a pad or cushion 26, and the other end of the lever arm terminating in a propelling or hammer head 27 lying on the opposite side of the wall 7 within the confines of a trough or guideway, comprising an inclined bottom portion 28, upstand ing sides 29 and an end stop portion 30. An indicating ball 31 is located in each trough and may be placed to lie against the hammer 27. The lever arm 24 is so located that when the projectile is struck with suilicient force to be flexed and arrive at the plane of the target, the objective, or ball portion of the projectile, will strike thetarget and ropel theindicat0r ball .31 along the surface of the trough. The bottom of the trough is dicate tha distance to which the projectile ice I noraaeo may have been propelled, the distance being intended to be proportional to the power and character of the stroke. The ball may be dislodged from the retainers by the club,

whereupon it will roll into position against the propelling head. In the preferred embodiment the ball of the central indicator is made lighter than the others as the stroke operating these latter is supposed to be inaccurate.

Preferably three of the indicators of the character referred to are provided and radially arranged with reference to the seat 21. The wall 7 is provided with openings at 34 through which the targets may pass from one side to the other thereof when being inserted in position, said openings also providing play for the target levers.

The levers 24, brackets 25 and indicator troughs are removably connected, as by bolts or screws, to the wall 7, so that the apparatus may be packed in a small compass and for other purposes, as will hereinafter appear.

It will be observed that when the projectile is struck, the stroke is not directly toward the targets, but may be merely in the vertical plane thereof, but the projectile will be flexed, as described, and the ball portion thereof will be caused to move toward the indicators or targets, and thus the spring 11 serves to guide the objective portion of the projectile toward the target, when once it is moved in line therewith, and at the same time the spring limits the space passed through by the projectile. In case the projectile is not struck with sufficient force to reach the target, it is desirable to still indicate the character of stroke, and to this end auxiliary indicators are provided in the vertical plane of each target. In the preferred embodiment, on the top' of the wall 7 is secured a flexible element, such as a piece of celluloid or a thin brass plate 36 adapted to vibrate when struck, but which offers no substantial resistance to the passage of the projectile to the target. I The auxiliary indicators 36 may be used alone, when it is not desired to play a game, under which circumstances the target indicating apparatus may be omitted.

The target indicators and the auxiliary indicators are preferably disposed radially of the predetermined position of the target, so that when operated they may determine the character of the stroke given the projectile. Assuming that the player attempts to strike the pro ectile with intent to drive it directly to the central target, he may inadvertently drive it either to one side or the other of the objective point, and the lateral target A will thus indicate that he has sliced the ball, while the lateral target 18 will indicate that he has pulled the ball. The auxiliary indicators above the targets will indicate similar results, and additional auxiliary indicators 37 and 38 may be provided to indicate a slice out of bounds or a pull out of bounds, as the case may be.

The objective portion 10 of the target is preferably made of substantially the same material and consistency as the usual golf ball, and in order to prevent an undue 1ongitudinal expansion of the spring 11, and at the same time avoid accident in case said spring should break, the objective portion of the projectile is connected to the frame by a flexible, referably non-elastic device, such as a cor 39. Preferably the cord is provided with a plurality of independent points of connection with the ball 10, in the present instance three. Three strands of cord may be rovided, and the ends of these cords knotted or otherwise provided with an enlarged portion, as at 40, and the knots are associated with the ball so that one knot shall be located on the opposite side of the center from the face struck by the club, the two other knots preferably lying on axes at right angles thereto, as shown in Fig. 4. Thus the elasticity of the struck face of the ball is preserved, while at thesame time a plurality of attaching devices is provided. The cord 39 passes through openings in the collars 12 and 1a and through a guideway in the base piece 16, and may be anchored to the frame in any suitable manner, as by means of a clamping device 41 in which the cord may be firmly held.

In order to indicate when the ball is struck deep enough to avoid top )ing, another auxiliary indicator is provide comprising a light yoke 42, the ends of the horns of which terminate just below the horizontal central plane of the ball 10, the yoke having a stem 43 passing through. the platform 2, and pivoted on a bracket 4%, the latform having slots 45 to permit vibration of the yoke. When the yoke does not move, the stroke has been'high enough to top the ball and the stroke is bad.

The operation of the device will be obvious from the foregoing description. Thus by the above described construction is accomplished, among others, the objects hereinbefore stat-ed.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the langua e used in the following claims is inten ed to cover all of the generic and s ecifie features of the invention herein escribed and all statements of an scope of jectile comprising a coil spring shaft-adapted to operate'the indicator, and Ineans for holding a portionof said shaft in stationaryposition.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, an indicator, a

frame, a coil spring one-end of which is fixed to the frame, a ball carried by "the free end of the spring, and a flexible nonelastic device independently connecting'the ball and frame.

4. "In an apparatus of the character de scribed, in combination, an indicator, a frame, a coil spring one end of which is affixed to the frame,a'ba1l-carried by the free end of the spring, and a flexible nonelastic device independently connectin'gthe ball andfram'e, a portion of the flexible nonelastic device beingembedded in the ball.

5. In an apparatus of thechar-a'cter described, in combination, an indicator, a frame, a coil spring, means conncc'tingone endo'f the coil spring and the "frame, and means to fix the position-of a portion of said spring.

6. In an apparatus-of the character described, in combination, an indicator, a frame, a coil spring, means connecting one end of the coil spring and the frame, and a socket connected to the frame and into which the spring'extends.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, an indicator, a fr1me,'a coil spring, means connecting one end of-the coil spring andthe frame, and a socket piece removably connected to the frame and into which the spring extends.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a-pluralityof indicators, a projectile seat and a projectile comprising a flexible shaft adapted to occupy said seat.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a plurality of indicators, aprojectile seat, a projectile comprising a flexible shaft adapted to occupy said seat, and means adapted to guide the projectile to said seat.

10. In an apparatus of the character do scribed, in combination, a projectile comprising a stationary flexible shaft adapted to automatically assume predetermined position-when at rest, a plurality of indicators radially arranged relatively to said predetermined position, each indicator compris- -a target adapted to be struck by said projectile, a guideyvay, and a ball adapted to be moved on=the=guideway by the operation of said target.

11. In an apparatus ofthe character described, in combination, a projectile comprising a stationary flexible shaft adapted to automatically assume a predeterminedpo- 'sition when i at rest, a plurality i of indicators radially arranged relatively to said predetermined position, each indicator comprising -a target adapted to be struck by said projectila'a guideway,-a ball adapted to be moved on the -guideW-ay by the operation of said target, and a scale to measure the movement of the ball.

12. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a frame comprising a substantially horizontal platform, and a projectile comprising an upstanding flexible shaft fixed to the frame, said shaft being ada ted to automatically assume predetermine position relative to said platform when at rest.

13. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a frame comprising a substantially horizontal platform, a projectile comprising an upstanding flexible shaft fixed to the frame, said shaft being adapted to automatically assume pre determined position relative to said platform when atrest, and a plurality of indicators spaced from said platform and radially arranged relatively to said predetcr- 1 mined position.

14. In an apparatus of the characterdescribed, in combination, a frame comprising a substantially horizontal platform, a projectile comprising an upstanding flexible shaft fixed to the frame, said shaft being adapted to automatically assume predetermined position relative to said platform when atrest, and a plurality of indicators spaced from said latform in a different horizontal plane an radially arranged relatively to'said predetermined position.

15. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a frame comprising a substantially horizontal platform, a projectile comprising an upstanding flexible shaft fixed to the frame, said shaft being adapted to automatically assume predetermined position relative to said platform when at rest, and a plurality of indicators in a different horizontal plane and spaced from and connected to the platform and radially arranged relative to said predetermined position.

'16. 'In' an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a projectile comprisin'ga stationary F flexible shaft, means to.

- at one end and adapted to be flexed toward noraeeo :3

cause said projectile to automatically assume constant predetermined position when at rest, a plurality of targets radially arranged relatively to said predetermined position and adapted to be struck by said projectile when moved from its predetermined position, means to indicate when a target is struck, and auxiliary indicators adapted to indicate the direction of movement of the projectile.

17. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a projectile comprising a stationary flexible shaft, means to cause said projectile to automatically assume constant predetermined position when at rest, a plurality of targets radially arranged relatively to said predetermined position and adapted to be struck by said projectile when moved from its predetermined position, means to indicate when a target is struck, and flexible auxiliary indicators adapted to be struck by the projectile to .indicate the direction of movement of the projectile.

18. lln an apparatus of the character de-' scribed, in combination, a projectile, and a pivoted vibratory indicator disposed adjacent the projectile to be operated when the projectile is correctly struck.

19. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a horizontal platform having a laterally disposed seat, a projectile comprising a generally upright resilient shaft fixed at oneend and adapted to be flexed toward and from the side of the platform, and guides laterally extending from said seat and adapted to direct the shaft into said seat.

20. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a horizontal platform having a padded upper surface and a laterally disposed seat, a projectile comprising a generally upright resilient shaft fixed and from the side of the platform, and guides laterally extending from said seat and adapted to direct the shaft into said seat. i

21. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a frame comprlsing horizontal surfaces in different lanes,

a resilient shaft fixed at one end a jacent' the lower surface, and extending above the upper surface, in predetermined position when at rest, indicators comprising pivoted targets above the lower surface ra ially arranged relative to said predetermined position, and guide members extending laterally from said predetermined position and at an angle to each other and uniting in a seat defining said predetermined position.

22. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a frame comprisin horizontal surfaces in different plane eac surface being padded, a resilient sha fixed 23. lln an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a projectile com prising a coil spring shaft, and means adapt ed to hold a portion of said shaft in stationary position.

2a. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a coil spring shaft, means adapted to hold one end of the shaft in stationary-position, a ball carried by the free end of said shaft, and a flexible nonelastic device, one ortion of which is held in stationary position and another portion is embedded in said ball.

25. lln an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a projectile comprising a flexible shaft, a ball secured. thereto, and a cord comprising a plurality of strands having enlarged ends embedded in the ball, and means adapted to retain the portion of said cord remote from the ball in stationary position.

276. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, anindicator, and a projectile comprising a resilient shaft, said shaft being so mounted relative to the indicator as to require flexing in order that the projectile may operate the indicator.

27. In. an apparatus of the character described, in combination, an indicator, a projectile comprising a resilient shaft, said shaft being so mounted relative to the indicator as to require flexing in order that the projectile may operate the indicator, and a stop adapted to cooperate with said shaft and restrain vibration thereof on its return to position to be struck.

28. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, an indicator, a projectile comprising a flexible shaft, a seat for said projectile when in position to be struck, and means adapted to return said projectile to said seat after being struck and to restrain vibration thereof on its return to striking position. j i

29. In anapparatus of the character described, in combination, an indicator, and a projectile comprising a resilient shaft so mounted relative to the indicator as require flexing in order to operate the indi- 'cator, said indicator being in a dlderent horizontal planefromthe point of the shaft to be struck, V

30. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a horizontal I letform, a projectile comprising a rest lent shaft and a ball connected to said shaft adapted to be disposed above the surface of said latform, and an indicator disposed in a di erent horizontal plane from said ball and adapted to be operated by said ball, said shaft being so mounted as to require flexing in order that the ball may operate the indicator.

31. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a horizontal platform, a projectile comprising a resilient shaft and a ball connected to said shaft adapted to be disposed above the surface of said platform, an indicator'disposed in a different horizontal plane from said ball and adapted to be operated by said ball, said shaft being so mounted as to require flexing in order that the ball may operate the'indicator, and a stop adapted to cooperate with said shaft and restrain vibration thereof on the return of the ball to position above the platform.

32. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a horizontal platform comprising a seat, a projectile comprising a resilient shaft and a ball connected to said shaft adapted to be disposed above the surface of said platform adjacent said seat, and an indicator disposed in a different horizontal plane from said ball and adapted to be operated by said ball, said shaft being so mounted as to require flexing in order that the ball may operate the indicator.

' 38. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a horizontal platform comprising a seat, a projectile comprising a resilient shaft and a ball connected to said shaft adapted to be disposed above the surface of said platform, a plurality of indicators disposed in difierent horizontal planes from said ball and adapted to be operated by said ball, said shaft being so mounted as to require flexing in order that the ball may operate the indicators, said seat adapted to restrain vibration of said shaft on the return of the ball to position above the platform, and guides adapted to automatically direct the shaft to said seat.

In testimony :Whereof I ahix my signature, in the presence of two Witnesses.

PATRICK H. LYNCH. Witnesses:

J. W. ANDERSON, C. J. KULBERG. 

